Mashable

Lasting roughly from 1966 to 1976, the Cultural Revolution was a period of enormous societal upheaval in China, as Communist Party leader Mao Zedong sought to restore ideological purity and a revolutionary spirit to the country.

The decade was marked by purges and power struggles at the upper echelons of government, and the mobilization of masses of young people to enforce Maoist thought.

One of the primary vessels for disseminating instructions and models of behavior was propaganda art. Vivid posters were created to inspire citizens to put forth their labor towards agriculture, industry and national defense, as well as concerns such as hygiene and family planning.

1967

"Fully criticize the Chinese Khrushchev from a political, ideological, and theoretical perspective."

Image: Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images

1970

"Greet the 1970s with the new victories of revolution and production."

Image: Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images

c. 1970

"Produce More Coal and Support the Socialist Construction."

Image: David Pollack/Corbis via Getty Images

c. 1970

"Never Tire of Training to Destroy The Enemy."

Image: David Pollack/Corbis via Getty Images

c. 1970

"Grow Strongly Under the Broad Sky and Earth."

Image: David Pollack/Corbis via Getty Images

c. 1970

"Protect the Forest."

Image: David Pollack/Corbis via Getty Images

c. 1970

"Prepare for Struggle, Prepare for Famine, Work for the People."

Image: David Pollack/Corbis via Getty Images

c. 1970

"If You Want to Prosper, You Must Control The Population."

Image: David Pollack/Corbis via Getty Images

c. 1970

"Prevent Hepatitis by Washing."

Image: David Pollack/Corbis via Getty Images

c. 1970

"Learn Science, Build The Country."

Image: David Pollack/Corbis via Getty Images

c. 1970

"Set a Good Example, Fight Corruption."

Image: David Pollack/Corbis via Getty Images

c. 1970

"Teach the Younger Generation."

Image: David Pollack/Corbis via Getty Images

c. 1970

"Go to the Big Ocean To Exercise."

Image: David Pollack/Corbis via Getty Images

c. 1970

"Let Mao's Philosophy Be Our Strongest Weapon."

Image: David Pollack/Corbis via Getty Images

c. 1970

"The Cadre Should Mix With the Workers."

Image: David Pollack/Corbis via Getty Images

c. 1970

"Be Prepared Now."

Image: David Pollack/Corbis via Getty Images

c. 1970

"Be on Guard, 100 Times Alert."

Image: David Pollack/Corbis via Getty Images

c. 1960s

"Celebrate the 9th Congress of the Industrial Union."

Image: David Pollack/Corbis via Getty Images

c. 1970

"Learning Dai Qi by Making More Contributions!"

Image: David Pollack/Corbis via Getty Images

c. 1970s

"Annihilate the Invading Enemy."

Image: David Pollack/Corbis via Getty Images

1976

"Grasp Revolution, Promote Production."

Image: David Pollack/Corbis via Getty Images

1962

"Enhance the Coastal Defense of the Motherland."

Image: David Pollack/Corbis via Getty Images

1976

"Shipyard Industry Workers Learn From Da Qing."

Image: David Pollack/Corbis via Getty Images

c. 1970

"Pay Attention to Hygiene."

Image: David Pollack/Corbis via Getty Images

c. 1975

"Fruits and Melons That are Eaten Raw Must be Washed Properly."

Image: David Pollack/Corbis via Getty Images

c. 1960

A depiction of Dong Cunrui, who sacrificed his own life in 1949 during the Chinese Civil War while detonating explosives in an enemy bunker.